Copa del Rey - Matchday 6 - 03/01/2017 19:00h

Valencia CF go down 4-1 at home to Celta in the cup

January, 03 2017 -

Valencia CF conceded early and were not able to get back into the match against Celta Vigo who were a constant threat on the counter-attack and won 4-1 in the last 16 first leg clash at Mestalla on Tuesday.

Iago Aspas put Celta ahead from the penalty spot after three minutes and further goals came from Bongonda and Wass, before Parejo got a goal back with a spot-kick midway through the second half.

However, with Valencia pressing it was John Guidetti that got the fourth for Celta on the breakaway.

Voro picked his first team with eight players missing and four of them at the heart of the defence with Mangala, Garay and Santos injured and Abdennour away preparing for the African Nations Cup with Tunisia. It meant Mario Suárez was made a makeshift centre-half alongside youth product Javi Jiménez. With José Luis Gayà, Nani and Maty Ryan all not fit enough to start the game it means that VCF bench also has a number of players from the youth team.

Valencia wanted a good start to build confidence but instead they went behind early on after a harsh penalty was awarded for a foul by Jiménez on Hernández and Aspas beat Jaume Doménech with his spot-kick.

The blanquinegros tried to battle back with Dani Parejo having a shot that was tipped behind for a corner by keeper Sergio and Enzo Pérez also had a strike that went over the bar.

While they pressured, Celta were happy to sit back looking for their chances on the counter and they went further ahead thanks to another piece of fortune with Bongdona’s shot coming off Jiménez and beating Jaume.

Voro’s players looked shaken and they were still gathering themselves to attack again when Celta got their third goal with Bongonda setting up Wass to fire home.

Gradually as the first half went on Valencia did pose more of a threat against a Celta side that defended in numbers and after a foul on Rodrigo by Roncaglia a free-kick by Parejo close to the corner flag clipped the top of the crossbar. Rodrigo then tried to flick a Parejo ball but Sergio read him well and saved with his legs.

Voro brought on Carlos Soler at the start of the second half and while Celta did cause some moments of danger it was Valencia that pulled a goal back through Parejo’s penalty after Rodrigo was brought down by Sergio.

The Valencia players sensed that they could get back into the game but they were caught again on the counter-attack with Bongonda finding Guidetti who finished clinically.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.